This is a show that was supposed to happen back in April, but, well, sometimes global pandemics have other plans. Luckily, I was able to still make the rescheduled show, and see one of my favourite live acts, Royal Canoe at the Fox Cabaret.

I caught the tail end of Vancouver's Parlour Panther opening the evening. Their dark pop featured harmonies from the duo of Lee Newman and Steph Hodgins, who were also backed by Jen Foster on drums. From what I heard, they were a good pick to open the show, complimenting Royal Canoe's sound nicely.

With large, flowery light fixtures around the stage -- that was absolutely packed with instruments and other gear -- the Winnipeg quintet Royal Canoe launched into the jaunty "Surrender" off their latest studio album Sidelining.

The set spanned not just their albums, but also their range of sound, from the funky groove of "Button Fumbla", to the simmering intensity of "Summer Stay", to the mellow and contemplative "Exodus of the Year". The band's intricate and complex sound coming together perfectly on stage, as each member played off each other — and even the crowd, at times.

Other highlights included "Butterfalls" with its soaring chorus telling us "it's time to watch it burn"'; "April Time" a quirky b-side from their recent collection Vault; and the perennial favourite "Bathtubs", the explosive number getting the crowd singing and clapping along.

After just over an hour, the band closed out the main set with "Living a Lie", building to a swirling, chaotic ending. But they were only gone for a moment before returning for one last song, the dark and creepy "Nightcrawlin'" to finish off the night.

I feel like I say something this every time I see the band live, but I've always been in awe of the effortless way they seamlessly blends their influences for a unique sounds, and each time I see them perform, they just seem to be getting better and better.

setlist
Surrender
Walk out on the Water
Button Fumbla
Butterfalls
Peep This
Hal
Bathtubs
What's Left in the River
Get It
Exodus of the Year
Summer Stay
April Time
Living a Lie
(encore)
Nightcrawlin'